The National Assembly has passed the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is a landmark move to significantly expand access to civil registration across Kenya.

The Bill, which was sponsored by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, aims to address long-standing challenges linked to limited registration offices in the country.

Speaking during the debate, she said the reform is designed to “bring essential documentation much-needed documentation closer to all Kenyans,” adding that,” no citizen should have to travel long hours just to get a basic service like acquisition of birth and death certificates.”

Currently, Kenya has 143 civil registration offices, and according to the lawmakers, that is not enough to serve a population of over 50 million people.

One Office in Every Constituency.

If signed into law, the amendment will compel the government to establish at least one birth and death registration office in each constituency.

According to lawmakers, this will transform the civil registration system, especially for people in remote and marginalized regions.

“The current setup has left too many Kenyans behind,” observed one MP at the session.

“This Bill ensures fairness, equity, and dignity in how we access important documents.”

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Less Travel and Reduced Costs.

The existing system has denied many Kenyans the opportunity to register deaths or births because most of them are compelled to cover long distances, a challenge that increases the financial burden on families.

According to Hon. Wangari, “the long queues, distances, and high travelling costs among the citizens are factors that discourage the citizens from registering such important events.”

Decentralization of these services will make the Bill significantly reduce the distance and time in which registration centres.

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Enhancing Access to Essential Services

Birth and death certificates are indispensable documents that are needed for school enrollment, access to medical care, national identification, social protection programs, and property succession

“This Bill strengthens people’s ability to claim their rights,” Hon Wangari emphasized.”

Proper registration is the first step in protecting every Kenyan’s legal identity.”

The Bill now awaits transmission to the President for assent.

If approved, its implementation could mark one of the greatest improvements to the civil registration system in Kenya in decades.

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Parliament passed a crucial piece of legislation,the births and deaths registration (Amendment)Bill 2024